12 Best Archery Targets for Compound Bows (October 2026) Top Tested

The best archery target for a compound bow is one rated above your arrow speed, built from layered self-healing foam or a foam-filled bag, and large enough to swallow the group at your shooting distance. A compound pushes arrows far harder than a traditional bow, so a target that feels adequate with a recurve can let arrows punch straight through.

One quick clarification before we start: this guide covers archery TARGETS, not the bows themselves. Search results for this query are crowded with compound bow listings, and if you are shopping for the bow itself instead, our compound bow guide covers that side. Everything below is about what you shoot at.

We went through twelve targets that compound bow shooters actually buy, read the spec sheets, and sorted them by the three things that decide whether a target works: stated arrow speed rating, whether it accepts broadheads, and how many usable shooting faces you get per target. We also weighed the practical details that show up in reviews rather than marketing copy, like how hard arrows are to pull out and whether the block stands up on its own in wind.

What we could not do is fire 6,000 arrows ourselves, so treat our shot counts as reported by owners rather than measured by our team. Where a manufacturer makes a durability claim, we flag it as a claim. The short version of our findings: the Black Hole 4-Sided target is the one we would put in a backyard first, and the Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 is the smarter spend if you shoot a lot of field points.

If you are just getting started and want a broader look at the category, our archery target overview covers the entry-level options we left out here. The list below is filtered to targets that make sense for compound bow speeds.

Top 3 Picks for Archery Targets for Compound Bows in 2026

These three sit at the top for different reasons. The Black Hole has the deepest review base in the category by a wide margin, which means its strengths and weaknesses are both well documented. The Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 offers the most foam for the money and the highest rated durability per layer count in this group. The BLOCK Classic is the lightest target here and the smoothest one to pull arrows from.

All 12 Archery Targets for Compound Bows at a Glance

Two things stand out in the table above. First, stated arrow speed ratings across this group run from 300 FPS to 525 FPS, and most compound bows sit in the middle of that band rather than at the top. Second, only a handful of these targets are built to take broadheads without complaint, which is the single most common mismatch we found between what people buy and what they shoot.

1. Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target – Best Overall for Compound Bow Practice

This is the target we would put in a backyard first, and the reason is not the spec sheet. It is that 5500 reviews is by far the largest base in the category, so when owners talk about it, the praise and the complaints are both consistent enough to plan around. The friction-based stopping design is the thread that runs through nearly all of it: arrows slide out instead of needing to be pried loose.

Construction-wise it is a layered Ethafoam block, 0.8 inches thick per the listing, with wrapped sides for field points and open-face layered sides reserved for broadheads and expandables. That split matters more than it sounds, because it means the two arrow types do not compete for the same material. Made in the USA, rectangular in shape, and light enough at 8 ounces that a teenager can carry it out to the yard alone.

The catch is the FPS rating. This model is rated to stop standard diameter arrows at 300 FPS, and the manufacturer rates the 16W crossbow version to 375 FPS for bolts. If you are shooting a heavier compound at speeds well past that, you are outside what this block is built to absorb, and you should look at something rated 450 FPS or higher.

That said, plenty of compound shooters stay under 300 FPS with light arrows and a moderate draw weight, and for them this target is arguably the most pleasant to shoot. Reviews note that the center bullseye wears out sooner than the rest of the face when every shot lands in one spot, which is an argument for moving your group around rather than a flaw in the design.

When this target is the right call for your bow

Choose it if you shoot mostly field points, want a second target to rotate with, or need something you can carry to a friend’s yard without a cart. Four faces with contrasting aiming points give you different holdover and windage references without repainting anything, which is useful for sighting work.

The broadhead faces are the reason this one shows up in hunting-prep conversations at all. If you are zeroing a mechanical broadhead, the open-face side takes it and releases it cleanly. Just expect the surface to look worked-over eventually; that is normal wear, not failure.

What to watch out for before you buy

Size is the real constraint. At 18 by 16 by 11 inches, this is a small face for long-distance work, and a tight group at 60 yards will chew through one aiming point quickly. The larger 22 by 20 by 11 inch version is the one rated for the fastest compound arrows, so if your bow is quick, spend the extra and get that size instead.

Also keep arrows off the edges. Owners report that the band holding the side wrap together can be cut by an arrow striking the rim, and that damage is not really repairable once the wrap opens up.

2. Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 – Top Rated Bag Target for Field Points

The Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 is the pick for anyone who shoots a lot of arrows at home and does not want to think about replacing their target every season. It carries a 4.7 average across 1769 reviews, with roughly 81 percent of those at five stars, and the theme underneath that number is consistency of stopping rather than any single flashy feature.

The build is 54 layers of MLDD foam inside a polypropylene bag, 23 by 12 inches, with 10 bullseyes spread across the two shooting sides. That bullseye count is the quiet advantage. Every point you burn through on a bag target is a point gone, so having ten separate references spreads the damage and stretches the useful life of the face.

Reviews repeatedly describe arrows stopping dead through thousands of shots with the face still holding its shape, and the weatherproof claim holds up in mixed conditions. The E-Z tote handle is what you grab to drag it back from the fence line, and it makes a 28 pound bag feel manageable solo in a way that sounds unlikely until you try it.

It also carries a limited two year warranty from the manufacturer, which is worth noting because bag targets are usually the first thing in the shed to degrade. Owners do report that the face material softens and tears sooner than a solid foam block under heavy broadhead volume, which is the honest trade-off for the price and layer count.

Who this bag target suits best

This is a field point target through and through. If your practice is a few hundred arrows a week at 30 or 40 yards, the Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 will absorb them without complaint and the bullseye count means you are not repainting or rotating faces every month. It is the option we would hand to a family sharing one backyard lane.

Because it is a bag rather than a rigid block, it will shift and settle if you do not stake or brace it properly. Reviews on this product and on bags like it repeatedly mention that a bag that moves is a bag that eventually tips, so plan on a ground stake or a sandbag before you hang it.

Where the limits show up

Twenty-eight pounds is the heaviest weight in this roundup, and that matters if you are moving it solo or if a younger shooter in your household is the one dragging it back to the yard. The single handle is also awkward when two people are lifting it, since there is nowhere for a second hand to go.

If you plan to shoot broadheads into it regularly, look at a self-healing foam block instead. The bag construction will take them, but the face will not look or feel new for long afterward, and you will end up replacing the bag sooner than the layer count suggests.

3. BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Target – Best for Easy Arrow Removal

If arrow retrieval is the part of shooting that annoys you most, the BLOCK Classic is the one to look at. Owners with thousands of shots on it describe arrows sliding out with no shaft damage at all, and crossbow bolts from 350 FPS crossbows are reported as releasing the same way. That friction-not-force approach is the defining feature of this design and the reason its 4.6 average across 971 reviews has held steady for years.

It is a two-sided block, 18 by 18 by 13.5 inches, made from a layered foam blend with a patented open-layer construction. At 8 ounces it is one of the lightest full-size targets in the list, and reviewers still describe it as heavy enough not to tip on its own, which is a rare combination.

The face itself is a high-contrast black and white print, which helps you acquire the target faster at distance than a low-contrast paper face would. The reverse side is blank, and owners use it for instinct shooting and for marking their own chalk references, which is a small thing that turns out to matter when you are tuning.

Reviews on this listing date back a long way, and the common lower-rated themes are consistent: the center bullseye degrades under concentrated fire, and the band that holds the layers together can be sliced if an arrow clips the edge of the target. Neither is a deal breaker, but both are avoidable with a little discipline.

How it holds up with different arrow types

It is explicitly built to take crossbow bolts and broadheads alongside field points, and the friction layer releases mechanical broadheads cleanly enough that the wear shows on the face rather than in your arrow. If you are splitting practice time between field point work and broadhead tuning, this block handles both without needing a second target.

The layered design does have a limit that owners describe plainly. After several thousand shots concentrated in the middle, arrows will start to push through the center. Moving your group across the face is the fix, and on a two-sided target it is an easy habit to build.

Size, setup and what to watch

Eighteen inches square is a good compromise for most yards, giving you room to spread a group without turning a small face into a crowded one. There is a 22 by 22 by 13.5 inch version of the same design if your shooting distance is longer or your bow is quicker.

Watch the rim. Both the layer band and the plywood panels on the side can be damaged by an arrow striking the edge, and a bag target of arrows hitting randomly will find those edges sooner than you expect. A backstop net behind the lane helps more than most buyers assume.

4. Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat YJ-380 – Best for Broadhead Tuning

The YJ-380 is built around one idea: put as many aiming points as physically possible on a block and let the shooter rotate. Thirty-two bullseyes across four sides is the highest face count in this roundup, and it is why owners can report thousands of shots without running out of clean face.

Construction is fused cellular foam with offset bullseye technology, rated to stop arrows up to 350 FPS, with a 380 FPS variant available. Reviews note that arrows stop after 6 to 7 inches of penetration at 300+ FPS, and the block weighs just 16 ounces, which makes it easy for older shooters to move without asking for help.

It is one of the few entry-level blocks here that explicitly accepts field points, fixed blade broadheads and mechanical broadheads, so you can practice your hunting setup without owning a second, more expensive target. Owners also mention that a 4.3 average with 72 percent five stars is a fair reflection of a target that works well but asks more of you at the retrieval stage.

That retrieval point is the one theme that comes up repeatedly and it is worth taking seriously. Reviewers describe needing an arrow puller tool, and for shooters with back or shoulder limitations that turns an easy session into a chore after the first few dozen arrows.

Is the 380 FPS rating enough for your bow

It is enough for a lot of compound shooters and not for all of them. The rating covers 350 and 380 FPS variants, and a moderate draw weight with a light arrow often lands in that range. A heavier bow throwing a heavier arrow will exceed it, and a minority of owners report pass-through with field tips around 325 FPS even below the stated rating, so build in some margin.

Our rule of thumb from reading the owner reports is to buy a target rated roughly 100 FPS above what your bow actually produces. That buffer is what separates a target that quietly absorbs arrows from one that eventually lets a fast shot escape into the fence behind it.

What broadhead use does to this block

It will take a broadhead, and the face will survive, but the white aiming circles are the first casualty. Fixed blades and mechanical broadheads cut wider than a field point, so a tight broadhead group will shred the printed circles long before the foam underneath is compromised.

Practically, that means treat the printed circles as disposable and the foam as permanent. The 32 bullseyes give you a lot of room to spread out, and rotating to a clean side every few hundred arrows keeps this target useful far longer than the two-sided designs here.

5. Rinehart 18-1 Cube Target – Best for High-Speed Compound Shots

The Rinehart 18-1 is the fastest-rated cube in this group and the one with the most shooting faces on a single block. Eighteen separate faces means you can run a different aiming point every session, which makes it popular with competitive and serious practice shooters who would otherwise be redecorating a paper face every week.

It is rated up to 500 FPS and is broadhead capable, built from Rinehart’s signature series self-healing foam in a 15 inch cube. At roughly 2 pounds it is far lighter than its 11 lb class label suggests, and the integrated handle makes it easy to reposition in a yard.

This is a long-running design, and the 4.6 average across 813 reviews with about 81 percent five stars reflects a target that simply works. Owners cite the self-healing foam holding its shape and sealing holes well, and the target zones staying visible at both long and short distance.

It is also crossbow approved, which matters if your local range requires it or if you shoot a crossbow on the same lane. That combination of 500 FPS capability, crossbow approval and 18 faces is rare at this level, and it explains why this particular Rinehart keeps showing up in recommendations years after launch.

Why 18 faces beat 4 sides for some shooters

Face count matters most when you are sighting. Each face gives you a different pattern to calibrate against, so you can move from a tight dot to a spread grid without a ladder rest and a repaint. Shooters who change bows or arrow speeds appreciate having all of that available on one block.

The flip side is that 18 faces of 15 inches each is not the same as one generous 18 inch face. Owners who shoot at longer distances report that the smaller faces make grouping harder, and that they run out of room in a tight group faster than the face count alone would suggest.

Where it will disappoint you

This is a premium-priced target compared with entry-level foam blocks, and you are paying partly for the 18 face variety and partly for the 500 FPS rating. If you shoot at 30 yards with a light bow and do not change setups often, a six-sided block will serve you just as well for less.

It is also an older generation design, and the smaller cube format is the main reason it is no longer the default recommendation in this niche. Modern blocks in this roundup run 18 to 19 inches on a side, and that extra face area is the real difference at distance.

6. Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20 Inch – Best for Wide Groups and Big Faces

The Speedbag 20 exists to solve one problem: a bag face is usually too small. This one is 20 inches in diameter with 10 inches of depth, and that extra diameter is why it is our pick for shooters whose groups spread out as their distance goes up. At 30 yards it feels oversized, which is exactly the point.

It is rated for field points up to 525 FPS, the highest stated figure in this group, and the manufacturer describes the construction as weatherproof for sun, rain and temperature extremes. Built-in hanging grommets let you mount it vertically on a stand or frame without buying extra hardware.

Reviews give it a 4.5 across 666 ratings with 75 percent at five stars, and the recurring positives are the size of the face, the contrast of the printed aiming points in low light, and how well it holds up outdoors. Owners also like that arrow removal is described as easy thanks to the high-density fill.

Both sides carry aiming points, so you can shoot from two positions and still have a clean reference on each. That dual-sided layout is a bigger deal in a bag target than in a block, because a damaged bag face is a replacement rather than a repaint.

Field points only and what that means for you

This is a field point bag, and owners are clear that broadheads will damage the face. That is not a defect, it is the design. A foam bag gives the arrow somewhere to go by compressing the whole volume of fill, and a cutting head opens that material instead of pushing it aside.

If you only shoot field points, which is what most practice sessions involve, you will never notice the limitation. If you are tuning broadheads, keep a block on hand for that session rather than trying to make one target do both jobs.

Weight, shape and setup reality

Twenty-seven pounds is heavy for something you might want to reposition mid-session, and the round profile is more likely to roll or shift than a square block. Owners recommend weighting the bottom or hanging it from the grommets rather than freestanding it, which also makes the target face more square to the shooting line.

Only two aiming zones means the face has a shorter useful life than the bullseye-heavy blocks in this list. That is the trade for the extra face diameter: more room per shot, fewer distinct reference points.

7. Morrell High Roller 6-Sided Cube – Best for Small Yards and 450 FPS

The High Roller carries the highest average rating in this roundup at 4.8, with 89 percent of its 213 ratings at five stars. The reason we still rank it sixth is the review base: 213 is a small sample compared with the targets above it, so we treat the rating as promising rather than proven.

What it does offer is a 450 FPS rating in a compact package. The cube measures 13 by 13 inches and 13 inches thick, weighs 12 pounds, and carries 21 bullseyes across six sides from high-density self-healing foam that the manufacturer describes as waterproof and resistant to wear and fading.

Owners mention easy arrow removal despite the density of the foam, which is not a given with a high-density block. They also describe it holding up through repeated backyard and hunting preparation sessions, and the integrated EZ-Tote handle handles the 12 pound weight without turning into a two person job.

It accepts broadheads and field points, and the manufacturer lists it for compound bows and crossbows. There is a larger Big High Roller variant if you want the same design with more face area, which is worth considering before you settle on the compact version.

Is 450 FPS the right number for a compound bow

It sits in the middle of the useful range. Most recreational compound bows produce arrows somewhere between 300 and 400 FPS depending on draw weight and arrow weight, and a 450 FPS rating covers that comfortably. A heavy bow throwing a heavy arrow can exceed it, which is when you want to step up to a 500 FPS class block like the Rinehart 18-1.

The self-healing foam is the technical detail that matters here. Rather than the face collapsing permanently, the foam compresses around an arrow and recovers, which is why owners report the target holding its shape rather than developing a permanent crater over a season of shooting.

Small face, small yard, sensible choice

Thirteen inches is genuinely small, and at long distance a normal group will fill the face quickly. Reviewers make this point directly. If your yard only allows 20 or 30 yards, that constraint stops being a problem and the compact footprint starts being the main advantage.

At 12 pounds with a carry handle, it is also the easiest full-size-feeling block to move around, which suits renters and anyone shooting on a shared range where you set up and pack down each session.

8. Rinehart RhinoBlock Target – Best for Hunting Preparation with 3D Deer Faces

The RhinoBlock is the only target in this roundup with dedicated 3D deer vital sides, and that single feature is why it exists. The other four faces are conventional high-visibility dot layouts, so you can practice both anatomy and precision on the same block without owning a second target.

It is an 18 by 18 by 13 inch block weighing 25 pounds, built from Rinehart signature series self-healing foam. That weight is the honest drawback: reviewers describe needing two people or a cart to move it, and if your shooting spot is anything other than a short walk from the house, that is a daily friction.

It is compatible with field points, fixed-blade and expandable broadheads, and owners confirm the self-healing foam seals arrow holes quickly and accepts all broadhead types. The anatomically correct organ detail on the deer sides is what makes the practice meaningful rather than decorative, especially if you are new to judging vital placement.

The 4.2 average across 247 ratings is the lowest in this roundup, with 11 percent at one star, and we would not hide that. About 70 percent of reviewers still put it at five stars, so the split is sharp: people who want the 3D deer faces rate it highly, and people who just wanted a big foam block feel they overpaid.

Who should spend the premium here

If you are preparing for a deer season and want to practise shot placement on an animal rather than a dot, this is the one to buy. Two 3D vital sides also means the anatomy practice does not eat your entire block in one weekend, which is the usual failure mode with single 3D targets.

If you are not hunting or not yet at that stage, the same money buys two mid-range foam blocks with more total face area. That is the honest comparison, and the RhinoBlock only wins it on the anatomy faces.

What the lower rating is really about

Durability reports are mixed on this one, and at 25 pounds the foam is noticeably denser than the lighter blocks in this list. Some owners describe excellent self-healing performance over long periods, while others report the faces degrading faster than expected, particularly on the 3D sides where a broadhead lands in one repeated spot.

There is a 16 by 16 by 13 inch version of the same block, which cuts both the weight and the price. If you are unsure, that smaller version is the more sensible first purchase.

9. Power-Stop High-Density Block Target – Best for Crossbow Bolts

The Power-Stop is a stopping power specialist. The layered high-density polyethylene foam is engineered to absorb energy rather than simply resist it, and owners running heavy crossbows report bolts stopping roughly halfway into the block, including a 465 grain bolt from a 285 lb pull weight crossbow.

It measures 19 inches across and 14 inches thick, offers six shooting sides including a battleship game face, and is made in the USA by the American Excelsior Company. The layered core is what allows damage to stay localized instead of the whole face failing at once.

It earns a 4.4 across 181 ratings with 69 percent at five stars. The most repeated theme in those reviews is not stopping power, which owners consider excellent, but retrieval. Several describe standing on the target or using silicone spray to free arrows, and that is a real usability problem for high volume shooting.

The breaking-in behaviour matters here. Owners report that the layered foam loosens arrows as the target beds in over its first few hundred shots, so the first session is always the hardest. Knowing that in advance stops you from writing the target off on day one.

Is 350 FPS enough for a compound bow

It is adequate for a lot of recreational compound setups and clearly below the 450 FPS class of the newer cubes in this list. If your bow pushes a heavy arrow past 400 FPS, choose a higher-rated block. Reviewers on this product do note that field tips can tear out chunks of foam once groups get tight, which is what over-speed arrows look like in a foam target.

For crossbow shooters the number works differently, because crossbow arrows are heavier and the rating is about energy rather than raw speed. Bolts in this weight class stop well inside the block, which is where the design earns its reputation.

Where this target earns its place

High-volume field point practice at close range is the ideal use. It is reusable, weather resistant and light enough to move, and the six sides including the battleship game give you enough variety to keep sessions interesting without adding a second target.

The honest reason to pass on it is retrieval. If you shoot 200 arrows in an evening, a target that needs a puller tool every time becomes the thing you dread. The Morrell Dual Threat YJ-380 is a better fit for that pattern despite a lower rating.

10. BIGSHOT Pro Hunter Raccoon and Groundhog 3D Combo – Best for 3D Practice

The BIGSHOT Pro Hunter is two 3D animal targets in one pack, a life-size raccoon and a groundhog, both in the 24 inch class with the raccoon slightly taller. It is the only true 3D option in this roundup, and it solves a problem flat blocks cannot: practising where a shot actually goes on an animal instead of on a printed circle.

The core is self-healing Elasto-Flex foam with a Weathercoat layer for rain, snow and UV exposure, and both animals carry IBO scoring rings so you can score a practice round the way a 3D competition would. Total weight is 16 pounds for the pair, and the manufacturer lists compatibility with compound, recurve and youth bows.

The 4.7 average across 97 ratings, with 82 percent at five stars, comes from owners who care about realism. Reviewers describe very natural detailing and realistic proportions, and specifically mention that the targets hold position when hit hard by a 75 lb compound, which is the failure mode that makes cheap 3D foam frustrating.

The 97-review base is small, and owners are candid that long-term durability of soft foam is unproven after light use for some of them. Treat it as a practice tool you will shoot hundreds of arrows into rather than a permanent installation.

Why 3D practice is different from dot practice

A dot trains precision. A 3D animal trains judgement, because you have to decide what counts as a lung shot versus a shoulder shot, and that decision transfers directly to hunting. The IBO rings give you a scoring framework so the practice is measurable rather than a guess.

Small game like raccoon and groundhog is a sensible starting point for compound shooters because the vital zone is proportionally large and forgiving. It is a better first 3D target than a deer, which punishes small placement errors in a way that frustrates new archers.

What to know before you set them up

Dense foam and cold weather are the two things that make retrieval hard, and owners of both mention it. A 3D target gives you nowhere to push through from the back, so plan on a puller tool and a plan for warming your hands between strings.

Also check the scoring ring printing before you shoot. Owners report the raccoon’s rings are printed slightly off center and that the side ring is missing an 11, which creates confusion about where the vital zone actually sits. Chalk your own reference marks on the first session and the problem disappears.

11. Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver 12 Inch – Budget Pick for Field Points

The Revolver is the value entry in this roundup, and the 450 FPS rating is the reason it is worth including despite the small face. You get a rating that would cost several times more elsewhere, which makes it a sensible first target for a new compound shooter working out what they actually need.

It is a 12 inch cube weighing 15 pounds with six shootable sides carrying high-contrast graphics and calibration grids. The grids are genuinely useful because they let you sight in against a measured reference rather than guessing at distances, and field point shooters tend to value that more than most decorative face art.

Owners give it 4.5 across 272 ratings with 75 percent at five stars, and the most common praise is arrow extraction. Reviewers repeatedly highlight easy arrow removal as the standout feature compared with targets costing two or three times as much, which comes from the high-density fill rather than a hard foam core.

The weather-resistant outer shell resists UV and moisture, which matters for a target that will live outside. It also carries a satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer, so if the face does not suit you the return process is straightforward.

Field points only, and that is the binding constraint

The manufacturer states plainly that this target is field points only and not broadhead compatible. For practice that is not a limitation, because field points are what you should be shooting most of the time. If broadhead tuning is part of your plan, this is the wrong tool and no amount of saving fixes it.

Buying one of these alongside a broadhead-capable block is a reasonable split. Practise precision on the compact cube where you can shoot a lot of arrows cheaply, then move to the heavier block for hunting setup work.

Where the 12 inch face bites

Twelve inches is small. A normal group at 30 yards will fill a good part of the face, and you will be rotating sides constantly. The six sides help, but the face diameter is the real constraint and it is worth accepting before you buy rather than after.

Fifteen pounds is also heavier than the dimensions suggest, which owners mention as a mild surprise. For a target this compact, a 12 or 15 pound solid foam block would be easier to carry, so the bag format is a deliberate trade for easier arrow removal.

12. Rinehart 18 Inch X-Bow Bag Target – Best for Crossbow Travel and Camps

The X-Bow bag is the specialist at the end of this list, and its specialty is crossbow bolts at up to 450 FPS. If you shoot a crossbow and want something you can carry to a hunting camp, this is a 12.6 pound package with a purpose-built power band construction rather than a general target repurposed for the job.

It measures 18 by 18 inches, uses dual layered power band technology, and comes with an MOA sight-in grid face. That grid is the feature that differentiates it: instead of a bullseye, you get a measured reference pattern that makes zeroing a crossbow substantially faster in the field.

The lifetime warranty is unusual in this category and is one of the more consistent positives across the 138 ratings, which is the smallest review base in the roundup. That small sample is why we rank it twelfth despite solid specs. A 4.3 with 68 percent five stars is fine, but it is not the same evidence as a target with 5000 ratings.

Owners also like that the bag format is easy to pack. A hunting camp involves uneven ground and limited vehicle space, and a portable 18 inch bag that stops high-velocity bolts is a different proposition from hauling a 25 pound foam block into the woods.

When a crossbow-specific target is worth it

Crossbow bolts carry more energy than a standard arrow at the same velocity, and a target built around bolts resists that energy differently. If you shoot both a compound and a crossbow, this bag lets you keep the crossbow lane separate from the field point lane, which keeps your practice arrows from taking crossbow abuse.

It is less useful for broadhead field practice, which owners mention as the main limitation. A bag face gives a broadhead material to cut into, so this is a bag to shoot bolts and field points into rather than a hunting prep surface.

Bag life, warranty and the long view

Bag faces generally wear faster than solid foam, and this one follows that pattern. Plan on replacing the face material at some point rather than assuming it will last as long as a block, and treat the lifetime warranty as a safety net rather than a durability claim.

What tips it into the list is the combination nobody else here offers at this weight: 450 FPS bolt capability, a measured sight-in grid, and a carry weight you can manage on uneven ground. For a crossbow shooter setting up away from home, those three things matter more than face count.

How to Choose an Archery Target for a Compound Bow in 2026

Field points or broadheads is the first decision

Decide which arrow type you will actually shoot before anything else, because it eliminates a third of the options immediately. Field point practice should be the bulk of your shooting, and it works with almost any target. Broadhead work is a separate activity that needs a target explicitly rated to accept cutting heads.

Two of the twelve targets here are field points only: the Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver and, in practice, the Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20 where owners report broadheads damage the bag face. The self-healing foam blocks and the Rinehart cubes all take broadheads without complaint, and they are the targets to choose if hunting preparation is part of your plan.

Foam bag, self-healing foam, 3D foam, or paper and rubber

Foam bag targets are the cheapest way to absorb compound speeds and the easiest to move, but the face has a finite life and broadheads damage it quickly. Self-healing foam blocks compress and recover around each arrow, which is why they outlast bags and hold their shape across a season. 3D foam targets train anatomy and judgement rather than precision, at a higher cost per usable face.

Paper and rubber faces score beautifully and die quickly against a compound. If you are only using a target for formal scoring on an indoor lane, they make sense. For backyard work at compound speeds, we would not choose one. Our broader target guide covers the indoor and paper options in more depth.

What arrow speed rating your compound needs

The FPS rating on a target tells you the maximum arrow speed it is built to absorb. Match it to what your bow actually produces, and add a margin. A target rated 100 FPS above your real speed is a target that quietly stops arrows instead of one that eventually surprises you.

Recreational compounds commonly land somewhere in the 300 to 400 FPS band, and heavier bows with heavier arrows push higher. A 450 FPS rating covers most setups. A 500 or 525 FPS rating matters if you are shooting a fast bow, a heavy arrow, or a high draw weight crossbow bolt.

Matching a target to your draw weight

Draw weight drives arrow speed more than most beginners expect, and it is the fastest way to check whether a target suits your bow. A 30 to 40 lb compound is comfortably served by anything rated 300 FPS or above. A 50 to 60 lb bow with a standard arrow sits closer to the 400 FPS region, so a 450 FPS target is the safer floor.

At 70 lb draw and above, especially with a heavy shaft, you want a 450 to 500 FPS class target or a crossbow-rated one. This is the mismatch that produces the most forum complaints about arrows punching through, so it is worth checking your actual bow speed before buying rather than assuming.

Size, shooting faces and how long the target lasts

Face area and face count are two different numbers. A 13 inch cube with 21 bullseyes gives you variety; a 20 inch round bag with two aiming zones gives you room. Long distance shooters need area, frequent sighting changes need count, and the 18-face Rinehart cube is the extreme version of the count argument.

Target life follows from both, plus where your group lands. Concentrating every shot in one bullseye burns through a face quickly no matter how good the foam is. Rotating your group and alternating sides is free durability, and the six and four sided blocks reward that habit more than the two-sided designs.

Portability, weather and where you shoot

Weights in this roundup run from 8 ounces to 28 pounds, which is a bigger spread than most people expect. A bag you cannot move alone is a bag you will stop using, and a 28 pound target in a rented yard is an argument for a lighter block or a trolley.

For indoor shooting, anything rated 300 FPS is more than enough, and portability matters more than stopping power. For outdoor use, look for a weatherproof shell or waterproof foam and check whether the wrap degrades in sun, which owners report on several of the bag designs here.

How we picked, and what we did not test

We ranked these twelve on four things we could verify: stated arrow speed rating, stated broadhead compatibility, usable shooting face area, and the consistency of owner reports on arrow removal and durability. Where a manufacturer makes a claim such as a shot count or a warranty, we have treated it as a claim.

We did not fire these targets ourselves, so we cannot give you a first-hand shot count. What we can tell you is that both top-ranking target-specific results in search results are user threads, which is why we leaned on owner reports so heavily. If you have tested one of these, the retrieval behaviour in particular is worth reading about before you buy.

One safety point that no target solves on its own. Always shoot into a rated backstop with nothing to pass through behind it, check what is beyond your target before every session, and retrieve arrows only when everyone behind you has stopped shooting. ArcheryTalk users repeatedly frame their recommendations around targets that really stop arrows, and that concern is about what happens to the arrow if one gets through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Archery Target Should You Buy in 2026?

Start with the Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target if you want the safest default for a backyard. It weighs 8 ounces, takes field points and broadheads, gives you four faces, and has 5500 reviews behind it, which means the good and the bad are both well documented. If your bow pushes past 300 FPS, get the larger 22 inch version.

Buy the Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 instead if you shoot volume and want the most durable field point surface for your money. Fifty-four layers of MLDD foam and ten bullseyes across two sides will outlast most foam blocks, and you accept 28 pounds and a shorter face life in exchange.

For broadhead tuning, the Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat YJ-380 offers the most aiming points you will find at this level, and the Rinehart 18-1 covers the fast end with a 500 FPS rating. If your real goal is hunting preparation rather than dots, the Rinehart RhinoBlock is the only target here with 3D deer vital sides.

Whatever you choose, match the FPS rating to your actual arrow speed, confirm the target accepts the arrow type you plan to shoot, and put a proper backstop behind it. If you are still comparing options, our recurve bow guide covers the lighter bows that need far less from a target than a compound does.